IPKKND FF: JALEBI by Jalebi Jane Thread 1: EPISODE 001-042 - Page 91

Originally posted by: JalebiJane

What is methi nok jhok?

JALEBI by Jalebi Jane (EPISODE 039)

I BEG YOU, SISTERS, DO NOT ASK ME these difficult questions! Do not ask me to explain Arnav Singh Raizada. I will follow his movements and report back his activities, but I can tell you nothing about his inner life. He is an enigma to me.

And as far as his intentions vis-a-vis our Heroine, I am as bewildered as you.

When Khushi offended Arnav with her statement---that she pitied his future wife---Arnav decided he would pose as a suitor to teach her a definitive lesson. But then he soon changed his mind, didn't he? After that appointment with Anita Sharma he appeared to abandon the entire scheme.

However!---the moment Aman informed him that she was engaged to Shyam, Arnav raced across town and forced a ring upon her finger. Why? Aman suggested jealousy. But Arnav scoffed at that. He believed that Khushi would ditch Shyam and accept him, thus proving what he had always known---that Khushi Kumari Gupta's righteousness was a facade. She was like everyone else. Available for the right price. No different than Anita Sharma; just little less obvious about her purchasability.

But the Lioness of Lucknow proved him wrong.

Khushi could not have stated it more explicitly than she had this very morning: 'If I was interested in marrying for money, I would jump at the chance of being your wife.'

And for any other man that would have put an end to the question. But Arnav was not any other man. This man had instead jumped on his jet and returned to Delhi to address her.

Why? What did he want of her?

She had shown him that she was not interested in him. She had shown him she was not interested in his money. And even though she had pretended otherwise a few minutes earlier, Arnav knew it was not a change of heart. It was abundantly clear that Khushi's intention with the charade was to send a message to that lodger, Shyam Jha.

It had nothing to do with him.

But this was not altogether true, either. On one point it did concern Arnav. Khushi was wearing his ring; a ring which had allowed her to execute that charade convincingly.

And while that ring remained on her finger, Arnav's own plan---whatever it might be---remained alive.

OF COURSE KHUSHI EXPECTED THAT she would be detained by Arnav. She had just forced him into the role of a fiance---after rejecting him only hours earlier! Of course, he would demand an explanation. And then undoubtedly make her suffer. But she would endure it. Everything could be endured if she kept reminding herself that it was all to save Buaji and restore what they had lost.

She met Arnav's eyes and waited for him to speak. But he didn't. Instead, he turned and with his hand cuffed over her wrist, he pulled her down the corridor. She resisted. But he had the greater might.

"Stop---! Wait!" she whispered loudly, so as to not draw attention.

But hospital staff and visitors were beginning to turn and stare anyway. And no wonder! Arnav Singh Raizada was a public face. Many recognized him from television and newspapers without even really knowing who he was or what he did. And those who did not recognize him, still paused to look, because---let me just say it---Arnav had a presence that was hard to miss.

They reached the main entrance, exiting through the doors---and it was then that she became aware that he was heading towards his vehicle. She redoubled her efforts to escape him and finally managed to claw off his hand.

"Whatever you have to say, say it here. I'm not going anywhere with you!" Khushi stated.

He peered at her questioningly, arching his dark brow. "Have you changed your mind?" he asked.

"Changed my mind? What are you talking about?" she snapped, wincing as she rubbed her wrist. She knew her wrist would show marks by morning. She bruised so easily.

"This." He reached for her left hand and took her fingers. Tracing his thumb along the length of her ring finger, he said, "you expressed an abhorrence to having this on your finger this morning. I cut short my visit to my sister and flew back to accompany you to the jeweller to have it removed. So, let's go."

The silky way in which he said, so, let's go' told Khushi that he knew perfectly well that she would not go.

She could not go.

The ring had materially aided her game and she needed it as a prop for a few more days. She needed to maintain the impression of being Mr Raizada's fiancee until the matter with Shyam was resolved. Fully resolved. Not only the aspect of exposing Buaji's fraud. But to have both their properties returned.

"No," said she, her voice softened by the predicament she found herself in. She removed her hand from his.

"No?" he repeated. That taunting smile again appearing on his face.

"Matlab---not quite yet." It really was humiliating to say this, but there was no choice. If Shyam had not seen the ring, she could have it removed and slipped on some other ring. However, she had waved it right under his nose. And it was not a ring which resembled a dozen others. It was a unique piece. There could be no double brought in for the role. Just as she could not manufacture another fiance of Mr Raizada's stature if he decided to exit her game now. She needed him.

"Ah, not quite yet. In other words, you want to use me for a bit longer," he said. "Theek hai. So what should I expect in recompense? What is the current market price for a fiance?"

By Jalebi Jane

JALEBI by Jalebi Jane (EPISODE 040)

I DARESAY KHUSHI DID NOT QUITE UNDERSTAND Arnav's meaning. But nor can I find any evidence that she had anticipated what his position would be. Everything was unfolding so rapidly. And she wasn't like Arnav Singh Raizada, who had the next five moves planned out in his chessboard-like brain. She was like you and I: when a button falls off, we sew it back on; when the dhal runs short, we add some water. We are not military leaders planning a decisive offence. We are Heroines, dammit! We cobble our way through life. We deal with situations as they arise.

Yes, it is true that the idea of pretending to be Arnav's fiancee had arisen this morning as a possible way to manage Shyam. It was a brief fantasy formed after that failed visit to the jeweller. But Khushi had dismissed it almost immediately. Dismissed it on the grounds that it was too great a risk. It was an action which reeked of desperation, and if Shyam got even a whiff that it was a facade, he would realize that the Gupta ladies were on their last gasp. She felt---and I agree---that the more vulnerable they appeared to Shyam, the more he would tyrannize them. And for that reason this game was a hugely risky endeavour.

It had to be perfectly convincing.

Indeed, this game---this idea of posing as the future Mrs Raizada---might never have been ventured, had there not been so many fresh disappointments today. Firstly, that missing memory-stick. Secondly, that discovery of Shyam as a CBI officer. Thirdly, that learning he had stolen their Lucknow haveli.

Finally, and most distressing, was the realization that Buaji had reached such a state of hopelessness as to attempt to take her own life. This had significantly impacted our Heroine. I cannot overstate, Sisters, how dreadful Khushi felt for having introduced Shyam into the Gupta household. Yes, I know---Buaji and Buaji alone must be held accountable for her crime, but in Khushi's heart, Buaji's fraud was one matter and Shyam taking advantage of them was another.

And Khushi saw the Shyam aspect as her particular problem. It was because of his sick obsession with her that her loved ones were in this situation. Hence, she must provide the remedy.

Even now, though she was opposite Arnav and not Shyam, anger stirred in her body. How that fiend had posed as their saviour, while secretly plotting to destroy them. And more disgustingly---how he must have been ogling her all these past weeks, masking it as tender affection!

There was in Khushi's mind only one acceptable end to this game: Shyam must be annihilated. And if she had to grovel at the feet of this lesser devil---Arnav Singh Raizada---she would do it. That cost would be a pittance for the joy of seeing Shyam smashed to smithereens.

But what precisely, Sisters, was the cost of purchasing a fiance of the Raizada variety?

"You must be wondering about that earlier pretence, Sir---" Khushi began to broach this subject of grovelling.

"---Not particularly," said Arnav.

As Khushi was already preparing to share a very diluted version of her dilemma, his interjection took her aback. "No?" Her brows drew together in a soft frown. "You're not the least bit curious?" How could he not be curious?

Arnav gave a shrug. "It's obvious. That man is blackmailing you and you want to show him you have a wealthy and powerful protector."

Khushi's eyes widened with surprise at his insight. Her mouth formed the word 'how' and though she did not speak it, he heard her.

But he did not reply. He posed a question of his own. "What were you searching for in his room last night? What does he have on you?"

Our Heroine was still trying to process how he could have known this much. She was slow to respond.

"Photos? Videos?" he prompted.

"Photos? Videos?" she repeated in puzzlement.

"Sexually compromising." His tone was flat and his eyes were guarded as he continued. "Does he have some content captured while you and he were---"

She understood him now. Perfectly.

"---How dare you!?" she charged with indignation, closing those two steps which separated them to thump his chest with a solid push. He hardly moved. But he caught her hands in his so she could not repeat her attempt. Khushi hardly noticed. Her eyes were flashing with fury. "How dare you suggest such a vile thing!"

"It's not so outrageous. You were engaged to him."

"Engaged? Never!"

"Boyfriend. Lover. Call him whatever you want. He sleeps less than fifty yards from your bedroom. Yesterday was not the first time you climbed through that window."

Arnav stated all this in such a bland tone, as though he was listing incontrovertible facts, that Khushi lost all modicum of control over her tongue. She forgot that built into the definition of 'grovelling' was the notion that one should refrain from personally attacking the person you intend to grovel to.

"I have often wondered how you reached this position in business, Mr Raizada. Because you seem to know everything complex---yet you miss out on what is perfectly obvious to a child of seven. Shyam is not my 'boyfriend-lover-whatever'---could you not tell that I hate the very sight of him? And as to my climbing through windows to visit him at night, let me tell you that until yesterday, I had never even kissed a man. I know what I said last night. I only said that I had because I---because you said---oh, it doesn't matter!---what matters is that he has information which could send Buaji to prison, and he has threatened to expose her unless I marry him. That is why I pretended to be engaged to you!" And to punctuate her disgust at him, at Shyam, at that entire flawed gender, Khushi threw off his hands. And gave him another good push.

You will not be surprised to hear that by this stage Khushi's eyes were bright with tears. But she could still see through them and had the enormous satisfaction of noting that her words had wiped that smug demeanour from Mr Raizada.

But was soon replaced with a look of amazement. "Are you a complete idiot, Miss Gupta?" he asked. "What the f**k were you thinking? A man obsessed with you threatens to send your aunt to prison unless you marry him, so you tell him you are engaged to another. Genius! In which Lucknow neighbourhood does that constitute as a winning plan? Or is this a Janakpuri quirk? Better to be without sense, Miss Gupta, than misapply it as you do."*

"So I should just marry him?! Create a matrimonial prison for myself so Buaji is not sent to jail?" she flung back with sarcasm. "Now that is genius!"

"Did I say marry him?---" he interrupted himself to say, "---why must you stand in the middle of the road!? Stand here. That ambulance almost hit you!---" then continued, "---but you could have negotiated with him. You're not a shelf ornament. Nor a delicate flower. I've seen you at work; I know you have a brain. And courage. Yet you always do the opposite of what a rational individual does."

And as if that verbal affront was not insulting enough, he now grabbed her arm---as though she were a rag doll---and pulled her towards him as a car made a sudden swerve. "Has your family made a suicide pact for tonight!?"

She thrust his hand away, ignoring his jibe, and returned to the matter. "If you go along with the pretence of being my fiance, I can overcome Shyam. With ease."

"Oh really?" He raised his brows in mocking question. "Enlighten me," he said, taking a leaning position against the pillar, fixing her with his eyes.

She shifted from one foot to her other, aware that she had to make her speech persuasive. She needed this man's co-operation but she also knew he would not be moved by emotion. Intellect is all that influenced him. So she told him everything.

Absolutely everything, Sisters.

Yes, it was not easy to confess that a member of her family had systematically defrauded the Treasury. It gave climate to every belief he had of her as a grasping gold-digger. But be that as it may---her own dignity had to take a subordinate position at this time. She couldn't exercise selective honesty with the one man who could help her resolve all this. In any case, if he had already worked out that they were being blackmailed, he might already know the reason why. She also relayed how Shyam had tricked Buaji of both their homes. And then she told him what Pari had discovered this morning about his name and occupation.

As she spoke, she carefully watched his features, but he gave nothing away. Nor did he interrupt her.

She concluded with, "My plan is this: I will present him with the ultimatum that if he exposes Buaji, I'll inform you of everything. And urge you to reveal his actions to his CBI superiors. They will then know how unworthy he is of his position as an officer sworn to uphold justice in our nation."

"Why involve me?" It was a relevant question.

And Khushi had a comprehensive reply. "If I go to the CBI, he can easily discredit me. But you!---You are a public figure. Your name alone brings authority and credibility. And he knows that. But because of our history, he would never have believed that you would come to my assistance unless I made it appear that we enjoyed a personal relationship---"

"---And as you happened to have my ring on your finger, you decided on fiance," Arnav finished her thought.

"Precisely," she confirmed.

"Fine," he shrugged.

Khushi leaned forward, questioning whether she had heard him correctly. She had to confirm. "You agree? You agree to continue to pretend that we are engaged?"

"Why not?" he replied, a mocking smile touching his lips.

Our Heroine ought to have been pleased to have achieved her goal, but there was some niggling sensation that kept her from fully rejoicing. Perhaps because nothing ever came easily from Arnav Singh Raizada, and she doubted her luck.

And she was right to doubt it, Sisters. His next words told her why.

"However, your plan will resolve nothing," he said. "At best, you will reach a temporary impasse. But your aunt will live in constant fear. And he will certainly never be persuaded to return the properties. Also eventually, Miss Gupta---" here he tapped her temple, "---he will wonder when you will take the name of Mrs Raizada. Why our engagement has not moved to the next natural step of marriage. He'll begin to have doubts. Then renew his threat. And you'll be back to where you are now."

It seems our Heroine had overlooked all this.

She chewed on her bottom lip as she worked that over. In this space, Arnav was almost forgotten. Another car flashed by her, and she was only half-aware that his hand guided her farther away from the edge of the road, even nearer to him.

In time, she raised her eyes to his, and she asked, "It's obvious that you have a better plan. So why don't you just tell me what you propose?" The words cost her a great deal.

*Adapted from Jane Austen's -Emma-.

By Jalebi Jane

Originally posted by: Miss.Zaidi

😃

Originally posted by: IdioTinTin.

me first 😎